Category Archives: Agriculture

Lucknow diary

Resplendent with the flavour of Kumbh, the ongoing 10-day-long Lucknow Book Fair is drawing denizens in hordes.

‘Atal’ tribute to Vajpayee
In a tribute to former prime minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee, the Central Institute of Medicinal and Aromatic Plants (CIMAP), Lucknow, has named its new variety of lemongrass ‘CIM-Atal’. Having represented Lucknow inParliament for five consecutive terms, Vajpayee passed away in August last year. The institution’s director Dr AK Tripathi claims that true to its name, the new variety of lemongrass is firm and resistant to moderate changes in farming conditions as ‘Atal’ means firm and constant. Moreover, the plant gives a constant high yield of aromatic oil. Besides, ‘CIM-Akshay’, ‘CIM-Sukhda’, ‘CIM-Suvas’ have also been evolved from basil (tulsi) to be released and distributed to farmers for cultivation and being high yield varieties, these will contribute to consolidate farmers’ income. 

Fair with ‘Kumbh flavour’
Resplendent with the flavour of Kumbh, the ongoing 10-day-long Lucknow Book Fair is drawing denizens in hordes. Cultural performances, ‘traffic security week’ and many other attractions have been set up at the fair. Called ‘Ankuram Shiksha Mahotsav’, the festival is being managed by a civil society group ‘icareindia’. A satrangi exhibiton is also being organised with the participation of government primary and upper primary schools from 11 districts — Agra, Aligarh, Basti, Maharajganj, Etawah, Mathura, Kheri, Kannauj, Balrampur, Ayodhya and Lucknow in the festival. The Kumbh festival has been going on since January 14 and has been set up on an unprecendented scale.

Lucknow ready for Metro
In a matter of days, the first phase of the Lucknow Metro will kick off from the airport to the other end of the city, covering a 23-km stretch from February 15. The ambitious project of connecting the city’s ends is two-and-a-half months ahead of its deadline. As of now, the Metro will only ply on the 8-km route from the airport to Charbagh. Recently, ‘Metroman of India’ E Sreedharan, who is also the principal advisor to Lucknow Metro Rail Corporation (LMRC), inspected the North-South Corridor — from the airport to Munshipulia — with a team of the corporation and endorsed the work carried out. Following another inspection by Commissioner Railway Safety between February 20-23, the project would be ready for commercial runs.

Marquee bubbling with Oudhi culture
Lucknow residents woke up to the soulful notes of Raag Bhairavi and ‘Jago Mohan pyare’ rendered by noted classical singer Shruti Sadolikar, who performed at the ‘Safed Baradari’ in a concert at dawn on Sunday. Presenting timeless melodies for an enthusiastic audience at 6am, Sadolikar enthralled music connoisseurs with her ethereal voice at the ongoing Sanatkada Festival in an ode to the Oudhi culture that is quintessential to Lucknow. The event was a day-long celebration with food and a mushaira and a qawwali session in the evening.

Our correspondent in Uttar Pradesh / namita.bajpai@newindianexpress

source: http://www.newindianexpress.com / The New Indian Express / Home> Nation / by Namita Bajpai, Express News Service / February 05th, 2019

World’s biggest gene bank of medicinal plants to come up at CIMAP, Lucknow

Over 300 other spices and medicinal plants will have their genetic information profiled and saved at CSIR-CIMAP(Central Institute of Medicinal and Aromatic Plants), Lucknow.

Indian mint, Iranian saffron, Sri Lankan black pepper and mace from Indonesia, along with over 300 other spices and medicinal plants will have their genetic information profiled and saved at CSIR-CIMAP(Central Institute of Medicinal and Aromatic Plants), Lucknow. Once established, it will be the biggest gene bank of medicinal and aromatic plants in the world.

These plants are native to the 23 countries bordering the Indian Ocean. The countries are represented by their consortium Indian Ocean Rim Association (IORA).

The member countries have begun efforts to build the gene bank, with their first across the table training programme currently underway at the premier research institute located near Kukrail in the state capital.

Genetic bank refers to a collection of genetic information that is unique for all living species.

The programme titled, ‘Diversity, documentation, gene banking and database for medicinal plants’ is being attended by representatives of 11 IORA member countries.

“One of the primary objectives of the programme is to establish a detailed gene data bank of the medicinal plants that can be shared among the members countries,” said Prof Anil K Tripathi, Director, CSIR CIMAP.

The member countries have agreed to share their knowledge of medicinal and aromatic plants found in their respective countries. They have also agreed to submit genetic data of such plants, turning the endeavour into a one of its kind conservation effort by member countries. “The genetic data bank will not only help in conservation but also act as a source of information for future generations,” said Fereshteh Moradi, chief coordinator of the programme.

Dr Ajit K Shasany, head-convener of the programme said, “The gene data bank that can only be accessed by the member countries will also help to identify fake products sold in the black market.”

The programme is being organised by the science and technology transfer wing of IORA. The wing has chosen the CIMAP as one of its regional centres for science and technology transfer. The programme is being funded by the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA). The members include countries of the gulf-Iran, Oman, UAE, Yemen- African sub continent, South Africa, Tanzania, Madagascar, Mozambique, Kenya- other south east Asian countries and Australia.

The programme also aims to make trade of these medicinal plants easier among the member countries. “Sharing knowledge and technology involved in harvest of these plants is also a part of the programme,” Shasany said. Elucidating further, he cited the example of the trade of saffron. “Iran is a leading exporter of safforn but the Iranian saffron in the Indian market comes via Europe where it is processed. This is set to change under this initiative,” he said.

source: http://www.hindustantimes.com / Hindustan Times / Home> Education / by Chandan Kumar, Hindustan Times,Lucknow / November 30th, 2018

Jumbo care! India gets its first dedicated elephant hospital near Taj Mahal

India’s first elephant hospital is jumbo sized: with a built-up area of almost 12,000 square feet that includes an observation area for the overnight monitoring of elephants under treatment using Close Circuit Infra-Red CCTV cameras.

India’s elephants now have their first fully equipped dedicated hospital near the Taj Mahal, complete with wireless digital X-Ray, laser treatment and dental X-ray facilities. The ‘jumbo’ hospital is the result of a collaborative effort between the Uttar Pradesh Forest Department and conservation NGO Wildlife SOS.

The veterinary hospital has modern medical facilities for the treatment of elephants in distress including thermal imaging, ultrasonography, hydrotherapy, tranquilization equipment and quarantine facilities. Located near Agra, the facility is in the Farah block of Mathura near the Elephant Conservation and Care Centre (ECCC) run by Wildlife SOS.

“The Wildlife SOS Elephant Hospital is designed to treat injured, sick or geriatric elephants and is equipped with a medical hoist for lifting elephants requiring critical care, a pathology laboratory, digital weighing scale, Elephant Restraining Device (ERD) with a dedicated indoor treatment enclosure for longer medical procedures,” said Wildlife SOS founder Kartick Satyanarayan. “An observation deck will allow veterinary students and interns to observe and learn elephant treatment routines from a safe distance,’’ he added.

India’s first elephant hospital is jumbo sized: with a built-up area of almost 12,000 square feet that includes an observation area for the overnight monitoring of elephants under treatment using Close Circuit Infra-Red CCTV cameras. Training courses would be organized by Wildlife SOS to spread knowledge on elephant medical care, humane elephant management and veterinary procedures to spread compassion.

“This is a huge milestone for elephant protection in India,” said Geeta Seshamani, co-founder of Wildlife SOS.. “This hospital will help us take better care of injured elephants in distress. We hope this hospital will put India on the map as a scholarly destination for humane management of elephants which will go a long way to address the protection and conservation of elephants in India,’’ she added

In 2010, Wildlife SOS established the ECCC, which is currently providing lifetime care and treatment for over 20 rehabilitated pachyderms, rescued from illegal captivity and circuses where they were ill-treated and subjected to cruelty. The Elephant Hospital was built entirely with private donations and CSR support.

source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> Sci-Tech> Environment / by Bindu Shajan Perappandan / New Delhi – November 17th, 2018

‘UP most competent state in terms of molasses output’

Minister for road transport and highways Nitin Gadkari termed UP as the most competent state in terms of molasses output that helps in production of ethanol, used in the production of bio fuel.

Minister for road transport and highways Nitin Gadkari on Monday termed UP as the most competent state in terms of molasses output that helps in production of ethanol, used in the production of bio fuel.

He said UP had more than 250 sugar mills and therefore the productivity of molasses here was relatively high.

“It can be of great help in the production of bio fuel and bio CNG that could run more than 10,000 buses. I am sure our departments could come out with a suitable solution that could further reduce the use and cost of fuel, especially in the aviation field,” he said while addressing the valedictory session of the IISF-2018.

The minister will lay the foundation stone for development work of Ghagra river, as National Waterway (NW) 40, in Basti district on Tuesday under the Sagarmala programme of ministry of shipping.

He said science and technology had a crucial role to play when it came to development.

“Perhaps it’s the only reason why the Prime Minister has already launched programmes like Digital India, Swaccha Bharat Abhiyan, and Smart City that intend to change the face of the country and to take the development to another level,” he said.

He also expressed concern over migration from rural/agricultural areas to urban areas, saying lack of basic amenities like adequate irrigation system, availability of good seeds, fertilisers and water were the major reasons behind it.

Union minister for science and technology Dr Harsh Vardhan, who was also present at the function, said this was the biggest science festival to be organised so far. “In the past four days, more than 10 lakh people visited the fest. This includes around 20,000 students and 800 women entrepreneurs,” he said.

He said over 1,000 institutions took part in the event. The minister also assured that by 2030, India would be among the top three scientific nations.

Dr Dinesh Sharma, deputy chief minister, UP too termed the IISF-2018 as a mega fest. Prior to this, the biggest science fest in the city — Science Congress — was witnessed at University of Lucknow in 1998.

source: http://www.hindustantimes.com / Hindustan Times / Home> Lucknow / by Oliver Fredrick, Hindustan Times,Lucknow / October 09th, 2018

Start-up incubated at IIT-Kanpur blooms at UN

Ankit Agarwal

HelpUsGreen recycles floral waste at temples into a substitute for thermocol

New Delhi :

HelpUsGreen, a start-up incubated at the Indian Institute of Technology Kanpur (IIT-K) was chosen as one of the exceptional young leader projects to help achieve the Sustainable Development Goals by the United Nations on Sunday.

HelpUsGreen, founded by a young engineer Ankit Agarwal together with Karan Rastogin three years ago, seeks to convert flowers offered in temples ,which are often thrown away as waste, polluting rivers and other water bodies, into biodegradable substitute to thermocol and fragrant incense sticks.

Agarwal was among the 17 young leaders selected from more than 8,000 youth from over 184 countries at the 73rd session of the UN General Assembly currently in session in New York.

HelpUsGreen currently processes around 8.4 tonnes of floral waste from temples and mosques in Uttar Pradesh and converts them into biodegradable packaging material, charcoal-free incense sticks, and natural vermicompost.

According to Agarwal, over 8 million tonnes of flowers are used in different religious places as offerings. These flowers, a symbol of devotion, are subsequently discarded in the rivers like the Ganga, creating havoc in their fragile ecosystems and leach in the groundwater.

The start-up, supported by Tata Trusts through its Social Alpha programme, has developed a patented flower-recycling technology, which not only tackles the monumental temple waste in India, but also provide employment to people.

HelpUsGreen, which has so far recycled over 11,000 tonnes of floral waste, has been able to provide livelihood to 73 manual scavenging families, which now earn six times more than what they did earlier.

source: http://www.thehindubusinessline.com / Business Line / Home> Trending Today / by The Hindu Bureau / New Delhi – September 25th, 2018

Scent per cent: Temple floral waste to be put to fragrant use

The Dr Ram Manohar Lohia Avadh University, Faizabad, on Tuesday signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with the famous Naka Hanuman Garhi temple, Faizabad, for collection of floral waste from the temple for producing exotic itra (traditional, natural perfume), incense sticks and fertilisers.

The university would collect the floral waste for this purpose, said Mahant Ramdas of the temple after signing the MoU.

Prof Manoj Dixit, vice chancellor of Avadh University, said the university will soon help recycle bio degradable refuse into exotic itra (traditional natural perfume), incense sticks and even scented havan ingredients.

Devotees offer about 200 kg flowers and 50 kg tulsi (basil leaves) at the temple every Tuesday and Saturday.

They offer 50 kg flowers on the remaining five days.

Mahant Ramdas said he was delighted that the university had come forward to sign this pact with the temple as it was becoming difficult to dispose of such a large volume of floral waste.

“We are happy that students will collect the floral waste and produce itra out of the flower juice,” he said.

The university had already signed an MoU with the Kannauj-based Fragrance and Flavour Development Centre (FFDC), he added. Production of itra and incense sticks will begin anytime this year, he said.

“We are waiting for the machines to come from Kannauj,” said prof Dixit.

“The students will learn to produce itra from flower juice, incense sticks from dry flowers and fertiliser from leaves. The move will not only help in disposal of floral waste but also generate employment for locals,” said prof Dixit.

The Avadh University has prepared a detailed proposal in association with FFDC, Kannauj, for this purpose. with whom they signed MoU earlier this month.

There were nearly 10,000 big and small temples in Ayodhya that accounted for 10-12 quintal floral waste daily, said Jaswant Singh, professor in environmental sciences department of the university. He is in touch with FFDC for the project.

“The idea is to use discarded flowers and leaves by traditional methods for making fragrance and flavour (itra, incense sticks, etc) with the help of local people and the finished product will be given back to the temples,” he further said.

source:http://www.hindustantimes.com / Hindustan Times / Home> Cities> Lucknow / by Rajeev Mullick, Hindustan Times,Lucknow / August 23rd, 2018

Women script success story through multi-layer farming

Multi-layer farming helps maximise the use of land and all growing space is used as crops are planted together vertically, horizontally and underground

Allahabad :

After a hard work of three months, a group of women succeeded in carving a niche for themselves by yielding multi-layers vegetable and fruit production in Narwal Patti village of Muratganj block of Kaushambi.

The group of women led by Momi Dey, who sowed seeds of various crops in February this year through multi-layer organic farming technique, are now set to earn Rs 2.5 to 3 lakh annually.

Women used vermi-compost as fertilisers in around one beegha of land while sowing seeds. They yielded prodution of ginger, spinach (palak), bottle gourd (lauki), ridged gourd (torai), green potato (parwal), bitter gourd (karela), lady fingers (bhindi), papaya etc.

Momi Dey, who spearheaded the initiative and formed the group of 12 women told TOI, “We have been successful in growing different varieties of vegetables and fruit in four layer of organic farming”. She further added that, “We have produced crop of ginger in first layer, green potato, bottle guard, ridged gourd, and bitter gourd in second layer, papaya in third layer and spinach on ground level. The crop of bottle gourd, ridged gourd and green potato was produced through machan (platform) cultivation.

Dey further said, “We have used only vermi-compost to maintain the taste of vegetable and fruits. Multi-layer farming is the best way for utilisation of field to grow many crops in a limited space”.

Vandana Gautam, another volunteer said, “More and more women have come forward to learn the basics about multi-layer farming in Kaushambi and Allahabad villages.” She further added that this was the first time when local women in the district had used the multi-layer organic farming technique.

The women focussed on the quality of the crops and vegetables and for that, seeds were sown on different heights in the same field. Dey, meanwhile, said under multi-layer farming different crops of varying heights and rooting pattern are cultivated together. She has also been imparting training to other farmers of the block briefing them about advantages of the techniques.

Dey had learnt about multi-layer crop production while training agricultural-expert Akash Chaurasia in Sagar, Madhya Pradesh. Chaurasia is one of the experts who is credited with introducing multi-layer farming in the country.

City based Agro experts, however, said, “The objective of multi-layer farming is to utilise the vertical, horizontal and underground space more effectively. In this method, the tallest components have foliage of strong light and high evaporative demand. The shorter components with foliage require lesser shade and or relatively high humidity.”

Currently, majority of farmers opt for multi-layer farming using only cow urine and dung as manure. More importantly, “The income of farmers have increased substantially. Besides, the multi-layer technique also ensured a steady supply of farm products throughout the year.’

Multi-layer farming helps maximise the use of land and all growing space is used as crops are planted together vertically, horizontally and underground,” said an agricultural official adding, that it also enriches the fertility of the soil and adds organic nutrients to soil.

source: http://www.timesofindia.indiatimes.com / The Times of India / Home> News> City News> Allahabad News / by Kapil Dixit / TNN / May 22nd, 2018

New finding turns sweet potato tastier

BSIP scientists said the sweet potato fossil found in Meghalaya is the oldest in the world

Lucknow :

There’s sweet news for India. Scientists at the Birbal Sahni Institute of Paleosciences (BSIP), Lucknow, claim that sweet potato plant originated in India and not the United States.

They claim to have discovered a 57 million-year-old sweet potato fossil from the East Garo hill district of Meghalaya, adding that it is older than the last recorded 40-million-old sweet potato fossil found in Colorado, US.

Their premise is based on an 18-year study conducted by a team of three scientists — BSIP’s Rakesh C Mehrotra and Gaurav Srivastava, and David L Dilcher from Indiana University, US.

The sweet potato fossil found in Meghalaya is the oldest in the world, say BSIP scientists.

The study has been published in the international scientific journal “Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences”.

The fossil of some leaves were collected by the two BSIP scientists in 1996 from Meghalaya. After the initial fossil identification study, they found that the leaves were of sweet potato. A detailed research work began in 2000.

“The discovery of a plant fossil is rare because plants’ soft structure is not easily preserved in the rocks,” said senior scientist Rakesh C Mehrotra.

He said that 17 specimens of the fossil of leaves discovered were made to study the pattern of veins in the blade of a leaf and secretory ducts (cells). The study showed that the leaves were of sweet potato and belonged to the ‘morning glory’ family, Mehrotra added. The research was conducted at three herbariums in the country — National Botanical Research Institute, Lucknow; Forest Research Institute, Dehradun, and Central National Herbarium, Howrah.

Mehrotra said the sediment where the fossil was extracted was found to be 57 million years old, hence the fossil was also considered to be of the same date.

BSIP director Sunil Bajpai said it’s a landmark discovery.

“The study will help in understanding the evolutionary origins and the existing concepts of sweet potatoes. It will also help in understanding the climatic conditions and related factors that prevailed millions of years ago.”

source: http://www.timesofindia.indiatimes.com / The Times of India / News> City News> Lucknow News / by Mohita Tewari / TNN / May 24th, 2018

This lawyer teaches secrets of growing flowers, fruits organically

Representative Image – TOI

Bijnor :

Mukesh Bhatnagar was just 10 years old when he took to gardening, guided by his father. As he grew up, his interest expanded. He experimented, learnt from his mistakes and his hard work and perseverance paid off. Today, this 60-year-old lawyer is a proud owner of a garden spread over 500 metres, comprising over 100 varieties of flowers, including many foreign varieties, as well as fruit trees including mango, orange, lichi and guava. He has become an example for others, specially farmers.

What’s more, all the fruits and flowers are organically grown. Bhatnagar has developed a nursery in his house for preparing plants and pits for organic manure and organic pesticide. Even the horticulture department has taken note of this garden. Farmers come to learn from him.

Besides, he has a kitchen garden where he grows most of the seasonal vegetables. He has become so self-sufficient that he seldom needs to purchase vegetables from the market.

Talking with TOI, Bhatanagar, said, “I have been growing flowers, vegetables and fruit since I was 10 years old. Most of the flowers are being grown in pots. Whenever I travel and go to a new place, I try to find new plants or seeds, which I bring back. As of now, I have around 100 varieties of flower plants including ranunculus, lilium, Water lily, carnation, stocks, freesia, and geranium. Besides, dahlia, pansy marigold both French and African blooms, salvia, calendula, daisy, Begonia and Rose.

“I have 36 varieties of bulbs like lilium. I grow both perennials and season flowers and also evergreens. Besides, I have a collection of snake plant, crotons, signonium, cacti, caladium and seku.”

He said gardening keeps him fit and healthy as well as acts as a stress buster. “ I am lawyer by profession and spend most of my free time in my garden. I am trying to make people aware about sowing flowers, fruits and vegetables by adopting organic methods. I recycle the waste from my garden — dry leaves, wilted flowers and decaying and withered plants — for making manure by using a decomposer. Besides, I also make bio pesticide and insecticide.”

Bhatnagar credited his father for motivating him to take up gardening. All his family members have taken to gardening as well, he said. His married daughter who has developed a garden of her own in her house consults him whenever she faces any problem. “We share pictures and videos of our garden through video conference,” he added.

Now, horticulture and agriculture departments send farmers to Bhatnagar’s garden to understand his technique and adopt organic methods of farming.

source: http://www.timesofindia.indiatimes.com / The Times of India / News> City News> Meerut News / by Harveer Dabas / TNN / March 31st, 2018

Lucknow guava thriving in Arunanchal Pradesh

The local guava that starts fruiting here in two years has started yielding fruit in Arunachal Pradesh in only nine months, much to the amazement of the local administration, district horticulture officer and others.

“Commercial guava cultivation is new to this state and it is not a common crop for cultivation.” (HT Photo)

Believe it or not, the local guava that starts fruiting here in two years has started yielding fruit in Arunachal Pradesh in only nine months, much to the amazement of the local administration, district horticulture officer and others.

More than one lakh guava grafts of ICAR-CISH developed varieties reached Yachuli, 80 km away from Arunachal capital Itanagar, during the rainy season this year. Flowers and fruit could be seen on these plants this month, claimed Shailendra Rajan, director, Central Institute for Subtropical Horticulture.

Rajan credited this to the efforts made by progressive farmer Likha Maj by supporting tribal organizations Agro Gramin Limited (AGUN) and Green Gold, Naharlagun (Arunanchal Pradesh) in collaboration with ICAR-CISH, Lucknow for establishing guava industry in the north-eastern region for the benefit of farming communities comprising mostly of tribals.

Likha Maj took the initiative to transport grafts from Lucknow during the rainy season, when it was difficult to reach there by truck due to landslides and damaged slippery roads, he said.

A team of 10 youngsters took to planting and rearing these grafts in more than 100 hectares and made all efforts for their survival under highly difficult conditions.

“Commercial guava cultivation is new to this state and it is not a common crop for cultivation,” said Rajan.

After seeing such a huge plantation, about one hundred farmers were interested and started planting guava varieties transported from Lucknow.

“Maj has not only planted guava grafts but also motivated several farmers for starting its cultivation so that a sizable production takes place and the produce can be utilized for processing as a food park is in the process of approval,” director CISH said.

ICAR-Lalit, a variety developed from Lucknow, can play an important role in this area when the processing unit is ready, as it is a prime variety being used for making pink pulp from guava further used for different products as well as export.

Thousands of hectares under Lalit have come up in AP, Maharashtra and Karnataka and other states but for the first time this effort was made in the extreme North-East conditions.

The farmers regularly exchange views with scientists using plant photos taken in the field. Smartphone has played an important role in establishing linkage between the scientists from CISH-Lucknow and tribals in a remote area of Arunachal Pradesh.

CISH Lucknow has not only provided grafts but is also helping in establishment of a modern guava nursery in Arunanchal so that problems faced in graft transportation are eliminated and the good quality grafted material is available at a reasonable cost to be distributed to different parts of the north-eastern region.

source: http://www.hindustantimes.com / Hindustan Times / Home> Cities> Lucknow / by HT Correspondent, Hindustan Times,Lucknow / December 28th, 2017